Edward A. Kelly

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Edward A. Kelly
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 3rd district
In office
January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1947
Preceded byFred E. Busbey
Succeeded byFred E. Busbey
In office
March 4, 1931 – January 3, 1943
Preceded byElliott W. Sproul
Succeeded byFred E. Busbey
Personal details
Born(1892-04-03)April 3, 1892
Chicago, Illinois
DiedAugust 30, 1969(1969-08-30) (aged 77)
Chicago, Illinois
Resting placeSaint Mary Catholic Cemetery, Evergreen Park, Illinois
Political partyDemocratic

Edward Austin Kelly (April 3, 1892 – August 30, 1969) was an American businessman and politician from Chicago, Illinois. A Democrat, he was most notable for his service in the United States House of Representatives from 1931 to 1943 and 1945 to 1947.

Biography[edit]

Kelly was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 3, 1892, the son of John J. and Nellie (O'Connor) Kelly.[1] He attended the public schools of Chicago, including Longfellow School and Lake High School.[2] In 1911, Kelly graduated from Orr's Business College in Chicago.[2] He played semi-professional baseball for teams in Chicago, Normal, Lemont, Aurora, and DeKalb from 1912 to 1916.[3]

From 1916 to 1920, Kelly was employed as an accountant with the Illinois Steel Corporation.[2] During World War I he served in the Battery D, 332nd Field Artillery Regiment, a unit of the 86th Division.[1][4] He was in the United States Army from 1917 to 1919 and attained the rank of sergeant.[4] After his military service, Kelly engaged in the real estate and insurance businesses as the owner and operator of E. A. Kelly Co.[2]

A Democrat, Kelly became active in local politics and was elected president of the 32nd Ward Democratic Association.[2] In 1930, Kelly was elected to the United States House of Representatives.[2] He was reelected five times, and served from March 4, 1931, to January 3, 1943.[2] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1942.[1] After leaving Congress, Kelly worked as executive assistant to the chief justice of the Chicago municipal court and served as a member of the Chicago Planning Commission.[5]

In 1944, Kelly was again elected to Congress.[5] He served one term, January 3, 1945, to January 3, 1947.[5] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1946.[5] After the end of his final term, Kelly returned to the real estate business.[5]

Kelly's grave at Saint Mary Catholic Cemetery

Kelly died in Chicago on August 30, 1969.[5] He was interred at Saint Mary Catholic Cemetery in Evergreen Park, Illinois.[5]

Family[edit]

In 1922, Kelly married RoseMay R. Eulert.[5] They were married until his death in 1969.[5] They were the parents of two sons and a daughter—Edward A. Kelly Jr., Robert J. Kelly, and Rosemary.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Biographical Press (1947). Who's Who In Illinois. Vol. 1. Chicago, IL: Larkin, Roosevelt & Larkin, Ltd. p. 771 – via Internet Archive.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h US Congress (1946). Official Congressional Directory: 79th Congress. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 26 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ "Edward A. Kelly, Democratic Candidate for Congress". The Lemont Optimist-News. Lemont, IL. April 3, 1930. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b Little, John G. Jr. (1921). The Official History of the Eighty-Sixth Division. Chicago, IL: State Publications Society. p. 251 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i U.S. Congress (2005). Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-2005. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 1367. ISBN 978-0-16-073176-1 – via Google Books.

External links[edit]

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 3rd congressional district

1931-1943
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 3rd congressional district

1945-1947
Succeeded by